Explorers
by Kajita Hanko
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Source:
- Japanese Art Open Database
Description
Explorers — an unusual subject for a bijin-ga artist, suggesting Hanko's range extended to historical and adventurous narrative subjects. Meiji Japan was the era of great exploration and scientific expedition, both within Japan's newly acquired territories and in the broader Pacific world. This print may depict legendary explorers from Japan's historical literature, or it may reference contemporary Meiji-era exploration — either way, the subject places Hanko in dialogue with the period's enthusiasm for discovery, adventure, and the expansion of Japan's geographic horizons.
More Prints by Kajita Hanko
More Landscapes Prints
Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"
Wakasa Kugushiko
1920
Color woodblock print; oban
Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)
Woodblock print
The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)"
1934
Color woodblock print; oban
Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami)
n.d.
Woodblock print; ishizuri-e, section of harimaze sheet
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explorers was created by Kajita Hanko (梶田半古).
Explorers depicts landscapes, figures, and travel scenes.